Geotechnical Engineer – Tailings & Mining (Hybrid)

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Professional development opportunities

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Our client in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, seeks a senior Geotechnical Engineer to ensure safety and integrity of tailings dams and mining structures. You will lead investigations, stability analyses, and monitoring programs while mentoring juniors.

The role combines site visits with office-based analysis in a hybrid setup, requiring knowledge of soil/rock mechanics, numerical modeling, and regulatory compliance to support responsible mining operations.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering (Geotechnical focus), or related field.
• Eight or more years of geotechnical experience with tailings dam design and management.
• Proficiency in geotechnical software such as Plaxis, GeoStudio, FLAC, for slope stability and seepage analysis.
• Strong knowledge of soil mechanics, rock mechanics, hydrogeology, and earthquake engineering for mining structures.
• Experience in site investigations, lab testing interpretation, and field instrumentation.
• Proven ability to conduct quantitative risk assessments for mining-related geotechnical hazards.
• Excellent technical report writing and communication skills.
• Professional registration with ECSA or eligibility for registration is desirable.
• Experience in KwaZulu-Natal region and local geology understanding is advantageous.
• Willingness to adopt a hybrid work model balancing site visits with office analysis and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive geotechnical investigations, including site characterization and in-situ testing.
• Perform stability analyses of TSFs, waste rock dumps, and related structures using advanced modeling software.
• Develop and implement geotechnical monitoring programs.
• Prepare geotechnical reports, design recommendations, and construction supervision plans.
• Collaborate with mine planners, environmental scientists, and engineers to integrate geotechnical considerations.
• Conduct QRAs related to geotechnical hazards and develop mitigations.
• Oversee geotechnical remediation design and construction.
• Ensure compliance with geotechnical standards and regulations.
• Provide expert advice on geotechnical aspects of mining operations.
• Mentor junior geotechnical engineers and contribute to team development.

Skills

Geotechnical analysis

Technical writing

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering or Civil Engineering (Geotechnical focus)

Tools

Plaxis

GeoStudio

FLAC

Job description

Our client in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, seeks a senior Geotechnical Engineer to ensure safety and integrity of tailings dams and mining structures. You will lead investigations, stability analyses, and monitoring programs while mentoring juniors.

The role combines site visits with office-based analysis in a hybrid setup, requiring knowledge of soil/rock mechanics, numerical modeling, and regulatory compliance to support responsible mining operations.